September 10, 2012

Rookie of the Year: George Rogers, 1981

Running Back, New Orleans Saints

Age: 23 (Dec. 8)

College: South Carolina

Height: 6’2” Weight: 220

Prelude:

Rogers rushed for 5204 yards and 33 touchdowns in a college
career capped by winning the 1980 Heisman Trophy. He was taken first overall by
the Saints in the ’81 NFL draft and moved directly into the starting lineup.

Saints went 4-12 to finish
fourth in the NFC West while ending up 25th in the league in total yards (4705)
but seventh in rushing (2286).

Aftermath:

After showing an impressive
durability as the primary offensive weapon for the Saints as a rookie, Rogers
dealt with nagging injuries during the strike-shortened 1982 season, but was
still chosen for a second-straight Pro Bowl. Knee problems kept him out of
three games in ’83 as he rushed for 1144 yards, often in tandem with RB Wayne
Wilson. Splitting time with aging star RB Earl Campbell in 1984, Rogers rushed for 914 yards and was traded to Washington in the
offseason. Once again he was sharing time with a fading great player, RB John
Riggins, and while he started just five games, he rushed for 1093 yards with a
career-high 4.7 average gain per carry. Rogers
took over the starting role in ’86 and gained 1203 yards while scoring a
NFL-leading 18 touchdowns. But following another injury-marred year in 1987, Rogers retired. In all,
he played seven seasons and ran the ball 1692 times for 7176 yards (4.2 avg.).
Never much of a receiver out of the backfield, Rogers added 368 more yards on 55 catches.
All 54 of his touchdowns came on the ground.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in
the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated
Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press
International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of
the Year).